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What You Should Know About Hair Oiling for Growth, According to Experts
By Chelsea Candelario,
17 hours ago
It looks like #HairTok is at again. This time, the buzz is around hair oiling, an ancient practice derived from India, where locals apply hair oil from scalp to ends to improve the shine, moisture and elasticity of their strands. Some proponents of hair oiling also claim that it can stimulate hair growth , but is that actually true? I chatted with a panel of trichologists and scalp experts to get a full rundown on hair oiling, including its potential benefits and downsides, as well as some best practices for trying it out at home.
Hair oiling is an Ayurvedic practice that originated in India and has recently become popularized in the United States. It involves massaging oil directly onto the scalp and spreading it evenly through the mid-length and ends to add moisture and shine, encourage hair growth and more. “Think about how you care for your skin—we cleanse, exfoliate and moisturize to achieve the best results. Your scalp needs to be cared for in the same way to foster a healthy environment for hair to grow. It’s a self-care ritual that I have been consistent about for years and is proven to stimulate hair growth and improve overall hair health,” shares Roy.
What Are the Benefits of Hair Oiling?
According to our experts, there are plenty of benefits to hair oiling, which include:
Added moisture. If you’re dealing with dryness, hair oiling restores moisture and provides a boost of extra hydration to the hair and scalp.
Enhanced shine. While it nourishes the scalp, hair oiling also adds shine back to dull strands. “Hair oiling helps those often-neglected tips, making them look shinier while reducing the appearance of split ends,” says Dr. LoGerfo.
Reduced breakage. “Hair oiling improves hair suppleness, which in turns limits any brittleness or breakage,” says Yates.
Improved elasticity. The practice is done from root to tips, so it works to strengthen weakened strands and make hair more manageable overall.
What Are the Downsides of Hair Oiling?
The biggest downside to hair oiling is greasiness, which only happens when you apply too much oil at once. As Reavey explains, “Over-oiling can weigh down the hair and cause it to look greasy. It can also potentially clog pores, which increases the chance of acne and irritation.” Another potential downside to consider is an allergic reaction. This is why they always recommend doing a patch test along your inner arm before applying hair oil directly onto your scalp.
Hair oiling is great for most hair types and textures. If you have straight or wavy hair, the practice can be a great way to add moisture to your mid-length and ends, whereas those with curly hair that’s prone to more dryness and breakage can use it all over to moisturize and strengthen their curls and coils.
That said, hair oiling isn’t ideal for everyone. If you have an oily scalp and/or fine hair, the experts suggest sitting this one out, as the extra oils can weigh down your locks and clog the skin on your scalp, which can lead to dandruff or other conditions. “Malassezia (a fungus) is a common culprit behind dandruff and it feeds on the oils secreted by the scalp, so adding more oil to the scalp can increase the chance of an inflammatory response,” says Reavey.
Can Hair Oiling Work for Growth and Hair Loss?
According to the experts, hair oiling won’t necessarily help with hair loss. And currently, there’s not enough studies that prove that hair oiling causes new hair growth. However, the practice of massaging your scalp and giving your hair more moisture can be beneficial in other ways. “The act of massaging the scalp can help alleviate tightness and promote optimal scalp health,” says Yates. “Good scalp health is ideal for maintaining gorgeous locks.”
Create an oil blend. If you have straight or wavy hair, the experts recommend using a blend of lighter oils like grapeseed oil and jojoba oil, while those with curly or thick hair should mix together heavier oils like castor oil and rosemary oil. Tip: Heat up your mixture in the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes to enjoy a nice hot oil treatment.
Divide hair into sections before applying a few drops of oil onto the scalp.
Massage oil into the scalp for 15-30 minutes. “The best way to massage the scalp is to start along the hairline and make your way to the back of your neck. Be sure to focus on the crown area before tackling the mid-lengths and ends,” says Yates. “Follow the direction of the cuticle layer versus going against it. If you go against the cuticle, you’ll rough it up, which will make your hair look flat and lackluster. It can also expose the hair to more friction and damage.”
Rinse the oil out thoroughly. Use a clarifying shampoo to clean out the oil and continue with the rest of your wash routine.
The Best Oils for Hair Oiling
Monoi oil: According to Yates, this oil helps tame frizz and repair split ends. “Its superpower is improving hair’s condition without weighing it down—plus, it smells incredible,” she adds.
Tamanu oil: “It’s like a next-level argan oil, but without all the weight,” says Yates. This oil is known to improve hair condition, texture and shine. She also notes it’s a great oil to combine with other haircare products to define hair.
Coconut oil: This classic oil has plenty of benefits, including detangling hair, preventing breakage and improving manageability. “It’s a great natural emollient and the perfect partner for hair oiling treatments,” adds Yates.
Almond oil: “It can act as an emollient, which helps soften, smooth and moisturize dry hair. It has also been reported to increase the elasticity of hair and make it more flexible,” says Dr. LoGerfo.
Castor oil: “Since it’s rich in ricinoleic acid (a fatty acid), it can act as an occlusive moisturizer and prevent (or decrease) water loss. Research claims it can also boost and support the hair follicle,” says Dr. LoGerfo.
Rosemary oil: “It can help stimulate hair follicles to support stronger, healthier hair,” says Roy.
@lavish_krish I was recently talking to one of my followers who wasn’t seeing results from hair oiling 😫 so I talked to her to figure out what she might be doing wrong and these are the 3 things she was missing in her hair oiling routine. Then I asked other people around me and they were making the same mistakes so that’s why I thought of doing this video 💖 If you want recommendations on oils for your hair porosity check out my ‘Hair Guide’ linked in bio ✨ . #hairoiling #hairoilingmistakes #hairoilingtips #haircaretips ♬ original sound - Krishna
How Often Should You Do Hair Oiling?
The experts say it all depends on your hair needs, but frequency can range from once a week to once a month.
How Long Should You Leave Oil in Your Hair?
There’s no right or wrong answer here. Leave it on for 15-30 minutes or overnight while you snooze (remember to wear a bonnet or silk wrap to prevent the oil from staining your pillow). Whatever you decide, just make sure to rinse it out thoroughly with a clarifying shampoo.
Should I Do Hair Oiling on Wet or Dry Hair?
Hair oiling works best on dry hair. “Applying oil to dry hair allows you to immediately see which areas need a bit more,” says Yates. “Also, when your hair is wet, it can limit the application of the hair oil, as the water can limit penetration.”
In Conclusion
Hair oiling is a great DIY method that adds shine, moisture and elasticity to your locks. While the evidence is still lacking around whether or not it helps with hair loss, the act of hair oiling can stimulate circulation and encourage healthy environment for growth. Just remember to limit how much and how often you apply oil to the scalp and you’ll be well on your way to more luscious hair.
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